In the heart of the Pacific, New Caledonia is a land of mixed cultures. Caledonians are proud of their island and unique identity. Accents, languages, gastronomy, New Caledonia’s culture is a true melting pot of influences, promise of rich encounters and exceptional journey.

Discover the "tables d'hôtes"

Tables d’hotes have been multiplying in Noumea, as well as on Grande Terre and the islands. Often associated with homestay accommodations, they allow you to live like a Caledonian during your visit.

Nouméa, the capital city of New Caledonia is on the ocean. Several bays extend along the city, providing magnificent beaches and points of view. Besides its natural features, Nouméa also has very attractive cultural offerings for tourists who choose to visit there.

From Ouvéa to the Isle of Pines, passing through Lifou, Tiga and Maré, the five islands bordering the Mainland, Grande Terre to the East are yet more gems to discover. From the blue hole of Hanawa at Ouvéa to the Warrior’s Leap at Wakone on Maré, via the Jokin Cliffs at Lifou or the Oro Bay on the Isle of Pines, let yourself be amazed!

The West Coast of the mainland (Grande Terre) shows off a great variety of scenery from its northern tip down to the area surrounding Nouméa. Characterised by both large spaces favouring cattle farming and a lagoon of stunning beauty, the West Coast is also host to a rich cultural heritage.

The central mountain range of the Mainland (Grande Terre) is a natural boundary, overlooking the very different faces of the East and West Coasts. Exposed to strong winds and therefore more humid, the eastern coast offers scenery with sumptuous flora. With a population of largely Melanesian origin, the East Coast has also retained a particularly charming flavour of authenticity.

The Great South, comprising the Mont-Dore and Yaté municipalities, is the most symbolic region for New Caledonia’s three main colours: blue, green and red. From the rainforest to the mining lands there are a thousand shades of green, while the ocean offers a dazzling palette of blues. But if one colour dominates the Great South, it is the specific red of its ground.

Your stay in New Caledonia

So here you are in New Caledonia... And you’re determined to make the very most of your stay. Even if you’ve put time and effort into planning your trip in advance, a few useful tips will help you get your New Caledonian holiday off to a good start.

The essential

Basic precautions

Tourism Offices

Local currency

Shops opening hours

Phoning

Local population

Useful contacts

New Caledonia is a very safe tourist destination but, like anywhere else, it’s advisable to take a few basic precautions. Check out the Health & Safety section for advice about health and safety precautions in New Caledonia.

If, once you’ve arrived here, you have decided to include visits to Noumea, the West and East Coasts of the Main Island, some of the Loyalty Islands or the Isle of Pines, be sure to drop in at the Tourism Offices for tips and information to help you plan the your schedule and to ensure you don’t miss out on must-see beauty spots or festive events.

In practical terms, don’t forget that New Caledonia has its own currency, the Pacific Franc, which is pegged to the Euro at a fixed rate of exchange. You’ll find all the information you need in the Local currency & exchanging currency menu, and further useful information is featured in the Everyday cost of living section.

Still on the subject of practical everyday tips & information: retail opening hours are generally 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and stores selling food and groceries are usually open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 7.30 a.m. to 3.45 p.m.

Note: local regulatory restrictions apply to takeaway alcohol sales. The sale of takeaway alcohol is generally prohibited on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from midday. Only wine retailers are exempt from the ban.

Phoning is easy with a pay-as-you-go IZI card… you can use it to make calls from landline or mobile phones or public phone booths. You’ll find IZI cards on sale at all OPT (NC telecom company) branches and approved retail outlets.

New Caledonia is a real melting pot of ethnic communities: Kanak, Tahitian, Wallisian, Javanese, Caldoche (descendents of European settlers), etc. A rich and varied mix endowing the country with a wealth of cultural traditions and Local customs. Before setting off for your stay in New Caledonia, it’s important to learn something of the traditions and customs of the native Kanak people.

We recommend that you copy the Useful contacts listed on this site onto your mobile, tablet or laptop to help you deal with any emergency situations.